16 November 2015•Update: 17 November 2015
LONDON
Armed police will be deployed at London’s Wembley Stadium when France’s national football team face England on Tuesday evening.
The friendly match between the two countries was initially called off following the weekend’s attacks in Paris, but will now be played upon the French Football Federation’s insistence.
London’s Metropolitan Police service said it had decided in response to the events to bring in extra security measures, including armed patrols, in and around the stadium.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Peter Terry said: "We want everyone coming along to the match to know that our officers will be out there in increased numbers, to keep them safe. This will include extra, highly visible, armed officers who will be patrolling around Wembley Stadium.
"Our focus is the public's safety and security. I would stress that our plans are purely precautionary and not as a result of any specific intelligence."
Armed officers are an unusual sight at English football matches, even at the busiest games.
Terry said London was "not immune to terrorism" but that additional patrols around key locations in the U.K. capital would continue in order to provide reassurance to people in the city.
England’s manager Roy Hodgson said Tuesday’s match would not be an ordinary friendly game.
He told a press conference on Monday: "I can't deny there's something hanging over which is far, far greater than a football match. That will be lingering whether we like it or not. I've never been in a football game like this before."
